Vending machine



June 24, 1930.

w. M, BAXTER 1,765,963

VENDING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1927 5 sheets sheet 1 HHI, ml

39 3 r ECU/(67%? Wan/71M 13005327 I I I June 24; 1930. w. M. BAXTER VENDING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 24, 1930. w. M. BAXTER 1,765,963

VENDING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 78 Ell/6W? Mam/uni 13 602157 June 24, 1930. w BAXTER 1,765,963

VENDING MACHINE Filed y 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 June '24, 1930. w. M. BAXTER VENDING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet mu e z ECU/6 ZMjMa/TL 12L 130027 67 WWW/ Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES OFFICE WILLIAM M. BAXTER, or LOnIsVILLE,

KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO ESKIMO PIE VENDING MACHINE Application file d Jui 16,

This invention relates to vending machines and more particularly to refrigerated ice cream vending devices, although it may be employed with equal advantage for other purpose.

It contemplates more especially the provision of means of increased capacity for enabling the dispensation of vendible articles responsive to the deposition of a coin of predetermined value.

Numerous vending devices have heretofore been proposed, but these have not proven entirely satisfactory in that their capacity is much to limited for dispensing unstable articles such as normally liquid substances frozen to a substantially solid state. In view thereof, frequent replenishment of the vendible supply is not practical from a commercial standpoint, nor thermally eflicacious due to the increased thermal transmission occasioned by subjecting the refrigerated inte'rior thereofto the effects of the surrounding. atmosphere.

One object of the present invention is to 5 simplify='- the construction and improve the operation fi'i-of devices of the character mentioned.

' Another object is the provision of a vending machine which is inexpensive and dependable in operation.

Still another object is to provide a refrigerated vending machine of increased capacity to enable the dispensation of unstable vendible articles.

A further object is to provide means for the reception of a series of stacked vendible articles which are consecutivelydispensed in sequence.

- A still further object is the provision of a carrier having a plurality. of article maga zines therein for selective association with a coin dispenser to e'fiect their ejection in automatic sequence. v H.

Still a further object is the provision of a rotatable carrier capable of supporting a plurality of magazines for individually subjecting the articles therein to enable dispen-- sation in sequence responsive to the deposition of a coin.

- '50 Other objects and advantages will appear- 1927. Serial No. 206,221.

from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings: I Figure l is a fragmentary sectional view in elevation of a device embodying features of the present invention; 1

Figure 2 is a sectional view in elevation of a self-contained refrigerated cabinet for confining the instrumentalities disclosed in v Figure 1 Figure 3 is a perspective view in elevation of an article .confining mechanism employed in connection with the illustrated invention; Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view in plan taken substantially along line 6 IV-IV ofFigure 1;

Figure 5 in a sectional view taken substantially along line V-V of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation of the coin ejecting mechanism 7 disclosed in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VII-VII of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carrier disclosed inFigure 1; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of a dummy article employed in connection with each of the magazines.

The structure selected for illustration comprises a casing 10 of any suitable configuration, it being preferably polygonal in contour so as to enable its disposition in any. convenient position within the View of the urchasing public. As shown, the casingv is divided into two compartments 11 and 12 constituting the evaporator and condensin unit confining medium. In view thereo the compartment 11 is provided with an evaporator 13 consisting of a plurality of vertically disposed tubes which are in com munication with spaced circular tubular rings 14 and 15 so as to establish circulation therethrough. j

A liquid refrigerant such as methyl chloride is supplied through a pipe 16 which is 5 in communication with an expansion valve 17 connected to the evaporator tubes by virtue of the tube 18 secured thereto in any suitable manner. It is to be noted that the coils 13 are shaped-to correspond with the interior of the compartment 11 so that the vendible articles maybe confined therein in proximity thereto to receive the effects of thermal heat transmission to the refrigerant simultaneous with its expansion within the coils, thereby maintaining the compartment 11 at a frigid temperature so that vendible articles of unelectric bulb 22'o r other advertising fixture disposed at the apex thereof. The closure 20 is shaped.to correspond with the contour of the cabinet 10 so as to impart a distinctive ornamental appearance thereto, it being re-' movable to enable the evaporator and the other instrumentalities to be introduced within the compartment 11.

The tube 16 terminates in a base 23 confined within the compartment 12, the base 1 23 carrying a receiver 24 therebeneath in communlcatlon with the tube 16 to supply a refrigerant thereto. The receiver 24 is connected with condenser coils 25 arrangedin spaced relation to receive a compressor 26 therebetween which creates the flow of the refrigerant thereto through the conduit 27, the low side 28 of the compressor 26 being' connected to the pipe 15 of the evaporator. 13 by means of a tube 29 so as to effect a continuous cycleconstituting the compression, expansion, and return of the refrigerant to the compressor during which time the compartment 11 is refrigerated.

The compressor is driven by a motor 30 supported by the base 23 so that the armature pulley 31 thereof is in aligned relation with the fly wheel 32 serving as a blower for ventilating the compartment 12 and cooling the condenser coil 25 disposed adjacent thereto. As shown, the walls of the compart ment 12 are provided with elongated openings 33 having meshed material 34 disposed 'thereover to enable the transmission of air compartment 11 in a prearranged position to enable the selective ejection thereof responsive to the deposition of a coin in the manner to be described. hereinafter, it being particularly desirable to provide means affording a large capacity so that the supply will not have to be replenished repeatedly, which certainly is not advantageous from a commercial stand oint nor thermally efiicacious due to the act that the interior IL 7 necessarily must be subjected to the direct exposure of .the atmosphere during such periods. In view thereof, the present inven-' tion contemplates the provision of a bracket 36 which terminatesin a vertically extending, axially disposed standard 37 confined are in threaded engagement with the bosses 41 for adjustable connection therewith by means of lock nuts 44. It is to be noted that the extremities of the rods 42 are vprovided with arcuate clamps 45 which engage the tube 14, for the purpose of supporting the evaporator 13 in the desired position within the compartment 11.

Another collar 46 is secured to the standard 37 intermediate the ends thereof by means of a set screw 47 of standard construction, the collar 46 terminating in a peripheral flange 48 spaced from the standard 37 "to define a lubricant receiving receptable for 53 journalled about the standard 37 to carry a plate 54 formed inte al therewith.

The plate 54 is provided with a plurality of radially extending arms 55 which have threaded apertures 56 at their extremities to receive rods 57 depending therefrom to carry another plate 58 in spaced relation to the plate 54 superposed thereabove, the rods 57 terminating in reduced threaded extremities 59 having a nut 60 secured thereto to retain the plate 58 in the desired position. As shown, the plate 58 is provided with an axial circular opening 61 therein so as to co-op- I erate with rollers 62 carried within suitable bushings 63 constituting a part of angularly related brackets 64 which terminate in a collar 65 formed integral therewith in fixed relation with the standard 37. It will be understood that this arrangement enables the frotation of the spaced plates 54 and 58 con stituting the vendible article carrier.

A plurality of article confining magazines thereof which sustains the articles thereon.

The rear sides 72 of the magazine 66 termihate in the transverse line 73 above the bottom 71 so as to define an opening 74 to permit the ejection of the lowermost article 75 therethrough responsive to horizontal move-- mgnt imparted thereto from the opposed s1 e.

As shown, the brackets 70 are provided with spaced U-shaped lugs 76 which carry horizontally disposed pins 77 therebetween to engage correspondingly spaced hooks 78 depending from the plate 58 to sustain the magazines 66 in an upright position. The otherbrackets 69 which are secured to the magazines near the upper ends thereof, are

provided with a lug 79 having furcations 80 V thereon terminating in cam surfaces 81 which are capable of association with correspondingly shaped projections 82 spaced about the periphery of the plate- 54. The

plate 54 is provided with flat springs 83 xed thereto in any appropriate manner so that the free extremitles thereof which are provided with arcuate depressions 84 may engage the cam surfaces 81 to retain the magazines in rigid relation with respect to the carrier (Figure 1). Obviously, any number of magazines may be placed about the periphery of the carrier which accommodates ten magazines in the present embodiment. The magazines are preferably detachably associated with the carrier in the manner described hereinabove so that the compartment 11 may be provided with a hinged closure 86 which enables the introduction of the magazines for the purpose of replenishing the supply of the articles.

It is desired to dispense the articles responsive to the deposition of a coin so that it will be unnecessary to have an attendant serving as a salesman for the purpose of effecting the sale thereof. To this end the cabinet 10 is provided with ejecting means comprising a casing 87 secured to the exterior wall thereof to receive the coin mechanism therein for manipulation by a knob 88. The knob 88 is operatively connected to a lever 89'pivoted near one extremity thereof by means of a pin 90 carried by the coin casing 87. The lever 89 is provided with a slot 91 in one extremity thereof so as to engage a pin 92 carried by 2. lug 93 depending from a carriage 94 slidably disposed for horizontal movement through a passage 95 provided for that purpose in the casing-10, the carriage 94 being movable in guides 96 to permit its movement along a predetermined path.

As shown, the carriage 94 is provided with a downwardly projecting flange 97 at the. extremity thereof so as to co-act with a magazine 66 disposed in confronting relation therewith so that a confronting article 75- mechanism for establishing an operable connection between the knob 88 and the lever 89 is not shown, as such may be of standard construction to meet the suitable purpose.

Movement of the carriage 94 inwardly responsive to rotation of the knob 88 subsequent to the deposition of a coin will discharge an article 75 through the opening 74 whereupon it will be deposited on an inclined chute 99 for slidable movement through an orifice 100 which is ordinarily closed by virtue of a flat member 101 pivotally associated therewith by virtue of the usual hinged construction 102, the closure 101 having a knob 103 at the free extremity thereof so as to enable the individual to conveniently remove it from the opening to permit the article to' slide therethrough for reception within the trough 104. The trough 104 is preferably provided with a slot 105 therein to enable the. individual to grab thearticle by lifting it with the forefinger. i

To enable the dispensation of the articlesv from succeeding magazines in automatic sequence responsive to the depletion of articles in the preceding magazine, means are provided to effect the intermittent motion of the carrier consisting of the plates 54 and 58. In View thereof, the plate 58 is provided with a series of ratchet teeth 106 disposed in circular formation on the under side thereof so as to engage a pawl 107 pivotally associated pawl at the desired elevation. It is to benoted that-there is a tooth 106 for every magazine, it being spaced along the same radial linetherewith so that the engagement of the roller 110 with the tooth 106 will normally maintain a magazine inoperative rela-.

tion with the ejecting mechanism constituting the operating station.

The carrier is rotated upon release of the pawl 107 by virtue of aweight 114 which is centrally apertured as at 115 to slide axially of the standard 37, the weight 114 being sustained by tension transmitting ropes 115 which are woundabout the pulley 52 in a manner to impart rotation to the shaft 53 which supports the carrier on the bearing 50. The bearing 50 is maintained lubricated at all'times owing to the cup 48 which is provided with a supply of lubricant therein, the bearing 50 being immersed therein. The ropes 115 preferably travel over rotatable guides 116 journalled in suitable brackets 1'17 carried by the cup 48, so that the release of the pawl will cause downward movement of the weight 114 to bring the succeeding magazine to the operating station.

In order to effect the release of the pawl when the last article 75 has been dispensed from the magazine, a member or dummy article 118 of metallic construction simulating the contour of a vendible article is provided within the magazine 66 for disposition on the articles 75 confined therein. The member 118 is provided with a laterally projecting lug 119 on the lateral surface thereof to ride within the slot defined by the spaced sides 72 of the magazine, the brackets 69 and 70 thereof being provided with depression's 120 and 121 so as to en-' able the movement of the lug 119 therethrough. Itis to be noted that the lower plate 58 is also provided with a depression 122 for receiving the depression 121 provided in the brackets 70, thereby serving to prevent relative movement between the "magazine and the carrier.

As the lug 119 approaches the bottom of the magazine, it engages a lever 123 formed .integral with the pawl 107 for disposition in the path of the lug so as to cause pivotal movement of the pawl against the action of the weight 112, so that the roller 110 will be disengaged from the ratchet teeth 106,

thereby permitting the carrier to be moved to its next position by virtue of the weight 114 which imparts a turning couple thereto.

-Thereupon the carrier'will move until the roller 110 engages the next tooth, which brings the succeeding magazine in confronting relation with the operating station. When all of the magazines have been depleted of their supply of articles, it isnecessary to replenish them. Prior to closing of the cabinet subsequent to replenishing the ,"128 carried by the carriage 94. The projecting extremity of the spring 127 is provided with a member 129 carrying a lug 130 at its extremity to co-act with a plate rotatii e with the knob 88, the plate (not shown) being provided with a notch to receive the lug 130 to preclude rotation of the knob 88 when the dummy article 118 is in its lowermost position to pivot the member 126 in a counter clockwise direction '(Figure 6). The spring 127 is thereby lifted to effect the engagement of' the lug 130 with the plate carried by the knob 88. This prevents rotation thereof so that the ejecting mechanism is rendered inoperative during the time the carrier is moved intermittently to bring the succeeding magazine to the operating station for the purpose of dispens ing the articles therefrom responsive to the deposition of a coin.

With the arrangement of parts-above described, it will be apparent that a novel vending machine has been provided wherein a large quantity of vendible articles are confined for selective dispensation responsive to the deposition of coins in the oper'ating mechanism. The condensing unit refrigerates the chamber 11, thereby maintaining the unstable articles 75 free from deterioration for extended periods.

Various changes maybe made in the em bodiment of the invention herein specifically 3 described without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof as de- 

